Recording apparatus for valves and the like



C. E. RENSHAVV RECORDING APPARATUS FOR VALVES AND THE LIKE May 22,:w23.

Fild July 24,

3 Sheets-Sheet 1 '0 I QfiWi/M May 22,1923. 1,456,148

C.E.REN$HAVV RECORDING APPARATUS FOR VALVES AND THE LIKE Filed July 24, 1919 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 May 22, 1923. 1,456,148

C. E. RENSHAW RECORDING APPARATUS FOR VALVES FIND THE LIKE Filed July 24, 191$ 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 JUNE 27. 1919.

M ve wto'c Patented May 22, 1923.

UNITE Jil GFFKZE.

CHARLES E. RENSHAUT, OF EAST ORANGE, NEW JERSEY.

RECORDING APPARATUS E03 VALVES AND THE LIKE.

Application filed July 24, 1919.

To all 207mm 2'2 may concern Be it known that 1. CHARLES E. linnsrmw, a citizen of the United States, residing at East Orange, in the county of Essex and State of New Jersey, have invented a certain new and useful Recording Apparatus for Valves and the like, of which the following is a specification.

The object of my invention has been to provide a. recording apparatus for valves and the like which shall have, among other advantages, those o'l making a record or signal, or both, of the fact when the valve or other device is in a. certain position or con dition; of repeating or making said record or operating such signal so long as said position or condition shall be maintained; which shall be capable of indicating the time and duration of the said position or condition. and which apparatus shall be comparatively simple; and to such ends my invention consists in the recording apparatus for valves and the like hereinafter specified.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure l is a diagrammatic view, partly in perspective, of two valves of a sprinkler system and a recording apparatus thcretor embodying my invention;

Figure 2 is an end elevation ot the principal parts of the recording mechanism ot the said apparatus;

Figure 3 is a view showing the valve stem, the parts by which it is guided and operated. and electric switch mechanism connected therewith Figure 4 is asection on the line sl-.l- 0''; Figure 8;

Figure 5 is a partial sectional view of i ure 2, showing the recordunaking punch and its operating mechanism; and

Figure 6 is a view of a portion of the record blank adapted for use with the recording mechanism before referred to.

l vhile my invention is capable: oi application to many ditterent uses, I ha ve chosen as an illustration thereot the application 0 t the invention to valves for controlling the iiow o t automatic sprinkler systems for lire prevein tion, but it is to be understood that such embodiment is only to be regarded as typical the many possible embodiments of my in vention, and my invention is notv to be confined thereto.

In the automatic sprinkler syste lor the prevention of fire which are in general use.

Serial No. 313,042.

the sprinklers are divided into groups, and each group is supplied by water through a separate branch of the water-main, each branch being provided with a. valve, so that the water to the group of sprinklers can be shut off when it is desired to replace a sprinkler or to repair or extend the piping of the group, etc. When the valve is shut off, the group of sprinklers is, of course, entirely inoperative. It frequently happens that workmen who have closed the valve forgetto open it again after they have accomplished the purpose for which it was closed, such, for instance, as replacing a sprinkler whose fusible part has been melted by the heat from an incipient fire, thus allowing the water to open the sprinkler and extinguish the fire. It the valve is not opened and another fire starts, the portion oi? the building where the group of sprinklers in question is located is without protection, and the .tire attains such headway that, by the time it reaches other parts of the building where the valves are open, the sprinklers are unable to cope with the fire, even though they are put in operation.

Such possibilities as that described make it extremely desirable, especially where watchmen are not employed to an adequate extent, that means he provided at a central point, such as in the otlice of a. factory, for indicating whether or not each valve is closed, especially by making a. record, and my invention provides apparatus which will not only make such, a record, but which will continue to make it, at least at regular intervals, so long as the valve remains in the undesired position. Thus, the record shows when a particular valve is in the und-esire position and continues to repeat the indication and warning, bringing the danger to attention again and again until the matter is corrected by opening'the valve. The record also enables the owner or other superior of those having supervision of the valve to know at any time how 'taitht'ully the supervision has been carried out in the past.

In the embodiment of my invention which is illustrated in the drawings I have shown my invention as applied to but two valves 1 and 2- ot' a sprinkler system. but it will readily be understood that the invention can be applied to a system having any number of valves.

The valves to which the invention is shown as applied are gate valves, in which a. gate 3 is controlled by a stem 4-, mounted in a gland 5 in the housing of the valve, the stem having a male thread 6, which engages with a female thread 7 that is formed in a sleeve 8, the said sleeve being ournaled in a bearing 9 formed in a yoke on the valve casing. The sleeve 8 has a flange 10, which engages one side ot the bearing 9 and prevents the sleeve from moving to the right, as seen in Figure while a ring 11 is secured upon the sleeve 8 and engages the opposite side of the bearing 9 and prevents movement of the sleeve to the lett as seen in Figure 3. A. hand-wheel 11 also is keyed non the sleeve for the purpose of turning the latter. Thus, the sleeve 8 and hand-wheel 11 may rotate upon the bearing. but, being restrained from longitudinal movement, they cause the stem to travel back and torth through the sleeve and thus to carry with it the gate.

A box is provided for an electric switch and is supported upon the valve. The box is shown as consisting ot a base 12, having a cover 13 secured thereto. the base having a hub 141 in which is screwed a tube 15. The said tube has a flange 16, which rests against the hub of the hand wheel. The tube is supported and the flange is held against the said hub by a cap 1'7, which surrounds and tits the said tube. and whicn is secured to the hand wheel, as by having a flange 17, which rests upon and surrounds an annular rib 18. that is formed on a ring 18 which is secured to the hand wheel. The tube has a side open ing so that the position of the stem can be observed. In order to prevent the box from rotating with the hand wheel. means are provided to attach the box to a stationary part. In the present instance, a wireconduit 19 is secured to the box and to a bracket 20 fastened on the wall. and not only serves the purpose mentioned, but also that of conveying and protecting the wires that are connected with the switch.

TVithin the switch box a double-bladed switch is mounted upon a bearing post 21 that is secured to but insulated trom the base 12. The two blades 22 and 22 are cured to a rod 23 that is mounted in the said bearing. and the blades are connected on one side oi the bearing by a yoke 21- that has an insulating block 25, to which a pin 26 is secured. so that the said pin is insulated from the yoke and from the switch blades. A screw 27 secured to the insulating block and is threaded into the said pin, and a lock- .nut 23 is provided so that the pinv can be adjusted relative to the switch. The pin passes through a hole 29 the said base and rests upon the end of the valve stem. The hole 29 in the said base is made large enough to provide the lateral pla "for the pin necessitated by the more ent of the pivot ot? block 21 in the are of the circle from the pivot 223 as a center. The pin 26 is kept in contact with the valve stem by a spring applied in any desired manner. In the present instance, I have shown a. yoke 30 that is sccured to a rod 31, which latter is mounted in a bearing 32 in the base. the said rod ex: tcmling into a casing 33, in which is confined a spring 34 that bears against a head on the rod. Insulation 35 is interposed between the yoke and the rod, so that the switch is insulated from the base 12.

As I desire to operate both a signal and a recording mechanism by the switch, I have, as stated, provided the switch with two blades 2 and 22. each of which is adapted to contact with two pairs of contacts 37, 37, and 38, 33

shown. the recording device consists of a drum 40. around which is wrapped a record sheet 40, the drum in the present instance being rotated continuously by clock mechanism, which is not shown. The rccords are made in the present instance by punches 40, which are connected with the upper ends of springs 40, as by having a neck formed in the punch, which is received in a fork termed in the spring. Each spring carries an armature 41-0, which is attracted by a magnet 40 when contact is made. as will later be described. 7

The signals. in the present instance. are in the form of lamps 41-1, and, as I desire to operate both the signals and the recording mechanism from the same source of electric current, and as current strong enough to operate the lamps would injure the coils of the clectromagnets it it were permitted to flow through them continuously, l have provided means tor permitting the current to flow through the magnets tor only a very short time, but at regular intervals. In the present instance. l have provided two pairs of electric contacts 42 and 42 and l3 and 4 3, respectively, which are in series in the circuit. as will be described. These pairs of contacts are shown as constructed alike and sin'iilarly mounted, and l shall. therefore. describe only one of such pairs. The contacts 42 and 42 are, respectively, mounted on springs 44 and 1.1, which are secured to an insulating block 47 that is fastened to the tramc ot the recording mechanism. the screws and 1:7 for tastening the said springs passing into the said block but not meeting each other. The ends of the springs carry fingers 18 and 419, which are preferably made ot' non-conductivc material. such as bone. These fingers are adapt ed to be operated by an intermittently moving part. In the present instance. I have shown the fingers 1 8 and ioperated by pins 50, which are carried on a disk that is cmitinuously rotated by the clock mechanism. the connections not being shown. The

disk has six of the pins and is supposed, in the present instance, to be rotated at the rate of once an hour. Thus, one of the pins comes in contact with the fingers every ten minutes. The springs and contacts are so made that the contacts do not normally engage each other. The fingers are so shaped that the pin 50 at first engages both 01 them and presses them back. This, however, does not cause the contacts to engage each other. The finger 49 is, however, made shorter than the finger 48, and thus it slips off the pin 50 before the finger 48 can do so, and the finger 48 is held back by the pin far enough so that, when the finger 49 is free of the pin, its contact 42 will engage the contact 42. The finger 48, however, is made only a little longer than the finger 49 (the length being exaggerated in the drawings), so that the time of engagement is short. Since to make the intervals ten minutes long makes the time of engagement of the contacts undesirably long, the second pair of contacts 43 and 43 is provided, and the fingers 51 and 52 of these contacts are engaged by a cam 53, which rotates once a minute. Thus, the first pair of contacts prevents the recording mechanism from operating except once every ten minutes and the second pair insures that the current shall only flow through the magnet coils for such a brief period as not to injure them, even though the current is strong enough to operate the lights.

The record sheet is divided horizontally into columns, which are numbered according to the valves of the system. In the present instance, I have shown columns for five valves, respectively numbered 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, and also columns for records of stations to be visited by a watchman with an ordinary device whereby he can make a suitable connection to operate a punch to indicate that he visited the station. The record sheet is divided horizontally by lines indicating the hours and ten-minute fractions thereof.

The connections between the various de vices which have been described are as follows: From a source of current 54, a wire 55,which I shall call the positive wire,- runs to the contacts 38 and 38. The blade 22 connects the contacts 38 and 37. thus providing the latter with current, and the blade 22 connects the contacts 38 and 37, thus providing the latter with current. So far, the connections are the same for all the valves of the system. From the contact 37 of the valve 1, a wire 56 goes to the lamp 41 for that valve, and current returns to the source by a wire 57 connected with the negative pole of the latter. Similarly, a wire 58 leads from the contact 37 of valve 2 to its lamp 41, and thence to the return wire to the source. From the contact 37 of valve 1, a wire 60 goes through a resistance 61 and to a magnet 62 for the punch operating in column 1 on the record sheet. From the magnet 62, a wire 63 leads to the shortinterval circuit breaker, consisting of contacts 43 and 43, and thence by wire (54 to the long-interval circuit breaker, consisting of contacts 44 and 44 and thence by wire 65 to the return wire 57 of the system. Similarly, for valve 2, a wire 66 leads from contact 37, through resistance 67, to mag net 68, operating the punch for column 2 of the record sheet. A wire (59 from the magnet connects with the wire 63, leading to the short and long-interval circuit breakers.

Assuming that the device is intended to record the fact when the valves are closed and that valve 1 was closed at (3:10 oclock, punch 1 would make a punch-mark 1 in column 1 at the time indicated,because the 010s ing of the gate of the valve would. carry the stem to the left, as seen in Figure 3, permitting spring 34 to swing the switch blades t engage the contacts, and so long as the valve remained in that position current would flow through magnet 1 every time that the contacts of both the long-interval and the short-interval circuit breakers were in engagement. The. length of the fingers 48 and 49 of the long-inter al circuit breaker is made such that their contacts are in engagement for a little over a minute, so that the short-interval contacts will always have time to come into engagement at least once.

In this manner, the punch will repeat its record every ten minutes so long as valve 1 is closed, whether it be for a few minutes, or hours, or days. Thus, the warning that the valve is closed is conveyed again and again so long as that condition exists, and there is no possibility of receiving a warning and then overlooking the fact that the valve is closed. At the same time, the light for valve 1 will be lighted and will remain lighted until the valve is again closed.

It will, of course, be understood, that the record could be made continuously, instead of intermittently.

In my apparatus as I have described it, if the current from the source 54 fails for any reason one or more of the valves might be in the undesired position and yet no in dication of the fact be made either by the punches of the recording device or by the lights 41. To insure against this contingency I desire to provide a device which will indicate the fact when the current from the source 54 is not flowing for any reason. In the present instance I have illustrated such a device by a magnet 70 which is con nected by a wire 71 with the wire and by a wire 72 with the wire 57. The magnet provided with an armature 73 which is normally held away from the magnet and which is provided with a spring Tel tending to pull the armature into contact with an electrode 73. The armature is connected by a wire T5 with one pole ot a battery T3 or other source of current. the other pole of which is connected by a. wire 77 with the electrode T3, a hell T8 or other signal heing interposed in one ot said wires. 'l hus, current will norma ly flow from the source 54: by the wire 1 through the magnet am thence hy the wire 72 to the return wire 5? and hack to the source. The magnet will tlms he energized and will normally draw the armature away from contact with the electrode 7?) against the stress ot the pull. lt', however, the current trom the source is interrupted, the spring 74: will draw the armature 73 into contact with the electrode 73 and current from the battery will thus flow through the hell or other signal which will ring until the matter has been corrwited. Thus it the. current is not supplied to my apparatus so that it would not register or indicate the fact it a valve were in the undesired position. the device which 1 have just described will give warning that the system is not in working condition, and will continue to do so until the fault is corrected.

I claim:

1. In an automatic sprinkler system tor tire prevention. a 'alve for controlling the supply ot the sprinkling tluid. means tor indicating a particular position of the valve. and means for causing said indication to be repeated.

2. ln an automatic sprinkler system. for tire prevention, a valve tor controllirug the supply of the sprinkling lluid. means for imlicating a particular position ot the valve. and means "tor -ausing said indication to he rep .tlttll so long as the valve is in said position.

3. ln an automatic sprinkler system tor lire prevention the combination ot a for controlling the supply of the sprinkling fluid. automatic recording means. and means causing said recording means to ope 'atc only so long as the valve is in one it a plurality of positions in its control of the supply of? the sprinkling thud.

at. In an automatic s n'inkler system to.

lire prevention. the comlnnation ol a valve for controlling the sun )lV ot the sprinklin thud. recording means, and means tor causing said recording means to o crate int r n'nttently so long as the 'alve is m the 105]- tion which it is desired to record.

5. In. an automatic sprinkler system tor fire prevention, the combination of a valve for controlling the supply of tie sprinkling fluid, recording means. and means tor causing said recording me; ns to op irate repeatedly so long as the valve is in the p :sitian which it is cesired to record.

(3. In an automatic sprinkler syF- tcm h lire prevention. the comhination ol a valv tor controlling the supply ot the sprin ling fluid, a signal. recording means. and connections such that said signal will he operated when the valve is in the position de sired to he indi 'ated and that said recording means will he intermittently operated so long as said valve is in such position.

in an automatic sprinkler system for lire prevention, the comhination ot a plurality of valves tor controlling the supply ol tie sprinkling tluid. a single recording means adapted to make a separate record for each oi" said valves. and connections so c mstructed that a record will he made tor each valve so long as said valve is in the position desired to he recorded.

8. iln an automatic sprinkler system for ll) prevention the comhinatkin ot a pluity ot valves tor controlling the supply ot the sprinkling lluid. a single recording in ans adapted to make a separate record 'l'or *ach oil said valves. and connections so constructed that a record will he made intermittently for each valve so long as said valve is in the position desired to l e recorded.

9. in a recording apparatus tor valves and the like. the con'ihination ot a plurmitv o't valves, a signal tor each valve. a single recording means adapted to make a separate record tor ?ach valve. and connections so constructed that when each 'alve is in a particular position an indication will. he made hy its signal and a separate record will he made hy said recording mechanism.

it). in a iccording apparatus 't'or vmvcs and the like. the combination ot a plurality of "alvcs. a signal tor each valve. a single recordi g mJnns adapted to make a separate record tor caci valve. and comections so constructed that when each valve is in a particular position an indication will he made hy its i it and a separate record vol he 'nt tenItly made hv said rccording inc-ch ll. 11 a recordii apparatus tor valves ihination ol a plurality o1 valv For each valve. a sin ntoioi pied .4: make a separate record .vc. and connections so to vane is in a.

"ation will he .-:ep::ralc record ane'rhanis-an i l position.

'l'or varvcs a plural l't fi. 1 l

will be intermittently made by said recording mechanism so long as said valve is in said position.

13. In an automatic sprinkler system for fire prevention, the combination of a plurality of valves for controlling the supply ot the sprinkling fluid, a single recording means adapted to make a separate record for each of said valves, and electrical connections so constructed that a record will be made for each valve so long as said valve is in the position desired to be recorded.

14. In a recording apparatus for valves and the like, the combination of a plurality of valves, a single recording means adapted to make a separate record for each of said valves, and electrical connections so constructed that a record will be made intermittently for each valve so long as said valve is in the position desired to be recorded.

15. In a recording apparatus .tor valves and the like, the combination of a plurality of valves, a signal for each valve, a single recording means adapted to make a separate record for each valve, and electrical connections so constructed that when each valve is in a particular position an indication will be made by its signal and a separate record will be made by said recording mechanism.

16. In a recording apparatus for valves and the like, the combination of a plurality of valves, a signal for each valve, a single recording means adapted to make a separate record for each valve, and electrical connections so constructed that when each valve is in a particular position an indication will be made by its signal and a separate record will be intermittently made by said recording mechanism.

17. In a recording apparatus for valves and the like, the combination of a plurality of valves, a signal for each valve, a single recording means adapted to make a separate record for each valve, and electrical connections so constructed that when each valve is in a particular position an indication will be made by its signal and a separate record will be made by said recording mechanism so long as said valve is in said position.

18. In a recording apparatus for valves and the like, the combination of a plurality of valves, a signal for each valve, a single recording means adapted to make a separate record for each valve, and electrical connections so constructed that when each valve is in a particular position an indication will be made by its signal and a separate record will be intermittently made by said recording mechanism so long as said valve is in said position.

19. In an automatic sprinkler system for tire prevention, the combination of a valve for controlling the' supply of the sprinkling fluid. a recording means, a switch controlled by the position of said valve, electrical connections between said switch and said recording means, and means for interrupting the circuit at intervals.

20. In an automatic sprinkler system for fire prevention, the combination of a valve for controlling the supply of the sprinkling fluid, a recording means, a switch controlled by the position of said valve, electrical connections between said switch and said recording means, and means in said connections normally interrupting the circuit.

21. In an automatic sprinkler system for tire prevention,the combination of a valve I01 controlling the supply of the sprinkling fluid, a recording means, a switch controlled by the position of said valve, electrical connections between said switch and said recording means, means in said connections normally interrupting the circuit, and means for causing said last-mentioned means to complete the circuit at intervals.

22. In a recording apparatus for valves and the like, the combination of a valve, a switch operated thereby when the valve is in a particular position, a recording means, electrical connections between said switch and said recording means, means for opening and closing said circuit, operating at relatively long intervals, and means for opening and closing said circuit operating at relatively short intervals.

23. In a recording apparatus tor valves and the like, the combination of a valve. a switch operated by said valve when the latter is in a particular position, a recording means, electrical connections between said switch and said recording means, two pairs of contacts in series in said circuit, means for operating one of said pairs of contacts at relatively long intervals, and means for operating the other of said pairs of contacts at relatively short intervals.

In a recording apparatus for 'alves and the like, the combination of a valve, a switch adapted to be operated when said valve is in a particular position, electrical connections between said switch and said valve, two pairs of contacts, and a rotating part for operating each of said pairs of contacts, said contacts having lingers adapted to engage said rotating parts, the fingers of each of said pairs of contacts being of (lil'l'erent lengths so that the contacts of each of said pairs will be operated at different times.

25. In an automatic sprinkler system for tire protection, the combination of valves for controlling the supply of the sprinkling fluid, means for indicating the fact when a valve is in a particular position and means for indicating the fact when said first mentioned means is not in working condition.

26. In an automatic sprinkler system for cal Ill

tire protection, the combination of valves for controlling the supply of the sprinkling fluid. means for indicating the particular position ot a. valve and means for indicating the tact when said first mentioned means is not in operative condition.

27. In an auton'iatic sprinkler system for tire prevention, the combination of a plurality ot valves, separate means for each valve tor controlling the supply of the sprinkling fluid for indicating a particular position of the valve, a common means for operating each of said separate means, and means tor indicating the tact when said means tor operating is not in working condition.

In an automatic sprinkler system for tire prevention, the combination of a. plurality of valves "for controlling the supply oi the sprinkling fluid, a separate recording means tor each of said valves, a common source of power for said recording means, and means to indicate the tact when said source of power is not in working con dition.

29. In an automatic sprinkler system For tire protection, the combination of a valve 'ior controlling the supply of the sprinkling fluid, electric means for indicating the fact when said valve is in a particular position, and means tor indicating the fact when said electric means is not in working condition.

30. In an automatic sprinkler system for the prevention, the combination of. a. plurality of valves for controlling the supply of the sprinkling fluid, a separate recording means for each of said valves, electrical connections for operating said recording means when said valves are in particular position, a common source of power for said electric means, and means for indicating the tact when the current from said course is abnormal.

31. In an automatic sprinkler system tor tire prevention, the combination of a plurality ot valves for controlling the supply of the sprinkling fluid, a recording means for each valve, and electrical connections so ci'mstriui-ted that when each valve is in a particular position a record of that fact will be made by said recording mechanism, an alarm, a separate source of power for said alarm, and a circuit controlling device so controlled. by the current of said electrical coni'iections that when the said current is abnorn'ial the circuit for said alarm shall be normal.

32. In an automatic sprinkler system for tire prevention, the combination of a plurality of valves for controlling the supply of the sprinkling fluid, a signal for each valve, a recording means for each valve, a

separate means for each valve and electrical connections so constructed that when each valve is in a particular position an indication will be made of each signal and a separate record will be made by each record.- ing means, said electrical connections hav ing a single source, an alarm, a source of electric current for said alarm, and a circuit so controlled. by the current from said first n'ientioned source that when said current is normal the alarm cannot operate and vice versa.

33. In an automatic sprinkler system for fire prevention, the combination of a plu rality ot' *alves tor controlling the supply ot the sprinkling fluid, a signal for eaci valve, a recording means for each valve, and an electrical source and connections so constructed that when each valve is in a particular position an indication will be made by its signal and a separate record will be made by said recording mechanism, an alarm, and a relay operated trom said electrical connections and controlling an, in dependent source of electrical current tor said alarm.

It. In an automatic sprinkler system tor lire prevention, the combination ot a plurality ot' valves tor controlling the supply of the sprinkling fluid, a recording means adapted to make a separate record t'or each of said valves upon a single record blank, and connections so constructed that a record. will be made for each valve so long as said valve is in the position desired to be recorded.

35. In an automatic sprinkler system for tire prevention, the con'ibination ot a plurality of valves for controlling the supply of the sprinkling tluid, a separate signal for each valve, a recording means adapted to make a separate record for each valve upon a single record blank, and connections so constructed that when each valve is in a particular position an indication will be made by its signal and separate records will be made by said recording means upon said record blank.

30. In. a recording apparatus for valves and the like, the combination of a plurality of valves, a single recording means adapted to make a separate record "for each valve, and connections so constructed that whenever a. plurality of said. valves are in a particular position separate records there of will simultaneously be made by said recording means.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing, I have hereunto set my hand this 23rd day oi July, 1919.

CHARLES E. RENSHAIV.

(Certificate of Correction. I It is hereby certified that in Letters Patent No. 1,456,148, granted May 22 1923,

upon the application of Charles E. Renshaw, of East Orange, New Jersey. for an improvement in Recording Apparatus for Valves and the Like, an error appears in the printed specification requiring correction as follows: Page 6, lines 10 and 11, claim 27, strike out the Words for controlling the supply of the sprinkling fluid and insert the same to follow the word valves in line 9; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the ease in the Patent Otfice.

Signed and sealed this 26th day of June, A. D., 1923.

[SEAL] KARL FENNING, Acting Uommz'ssz'oner of Patents.

May 22,1923. v

v c. E. RENSHAW RECORDING APPARATUS FOR VALVES AND THE LIKE Fild July 24, 1919 s sheets-sheet 1 v x v 

